Written answers

Friday, 7 September 2018

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport Eligibility234. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport for a person (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36244/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the situation regarding SNAs as outlined in corrrespondence in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a...

School Staff236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a selection process has commenced for the appointment of a principal of a school (details supplied); if a principal has been appointed; and if...

Schools Refurbishment237. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a design team has been appointed for the refurbishment and extension of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...

Schools Building Contractors238. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the liquidation of a company (details supplied); the effect this has had on small businesses in the sector; and if he will make a...

Schools Building Projects Status239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a design team will be appointed for the construction of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35483/18]

Schools Building Contractors240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of contractors that expressed an interest in tendering for the completion of a campus (details supplied) by the closing date of 23...

Schools Building Projects Status242. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received the pre-qualification report from the design team in relation to a school (details supplied); when the preferred tenderer will...

School Patronage244. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been made on an application by a school (details supplied) to become co-educational; and if he will make a statement on the...

Site Acquisitions245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the required clarifications have been received from the vendor of the site for schools (details supplied); if satisfactory, if a design team...

Teaching Council of Ireland246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there is no specific special education teacher category to register under the Teaching Council. [35544/18]

Third Level Institutions249. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a college (details supplied) no longer takes masters applicants working as special needs...

Schools Building Projects250. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the capital funding opportunities available for educational institutions such as a centre (details supplied); and if none, if the possibility for...

School Placement251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the procedure in place for a family that is unable to find a second level place in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

National Educational Psychological Service252. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to increase access to NEPS psychologists for schools in Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the...

DEIS Expenditure253. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional spend in 2017 on the 79 schools added to the DEIS programme when compared with expenditure on the same schools in 2016. [35618/18]

School Staff254. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of English as an additional language teaching posts that exist; and the number in 2008, 2010 and 2012, respectively. [35619/18]

School Textbooks Rental Scheme255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated spend on books by schools participating in the school book rental scheme at primary and post-primary level. [35620/18]

School Accommodation Provision256. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an application and appeal by a school (details supplied) for a specialised ASD portacabin to house its new ASD unit from September 2018 until...

Emergency Works Scheme Appeals257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal by a school (details supplied) will be upheld with regard to the refusal of an emergency works application; and if he will make a...

Student Grant Scheme Appeals258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35657/18]

University Global Rankings259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the decline in Irish university ratings in international rankings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35704/18]

State Examinations260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action being taken to avoid non-teachers being hired to correct State examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35705/18]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision261. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) with regard to the July provision will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Pupil-Teacher Ratio262. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35777/18]

Mental Health Services Provision263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current and planned investment in mental health counselling at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35778/18]

School Transport Eligibility264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) is not eligible for a bus ticket to attend college in County Cavan in view of the fact that their two...

School Staff265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school secretaries and bus drivers are paid their wages during the summer holidays; if not, if they have to sign for jobseeker's benefit...

Special Educational Needs Staff266. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the current level of special needs assistants at a school (details supplied) will be retained; and if he will engage with the NCSE in this...

School Staff268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the issue of two super sized classes at a school (details supplied); if he will engage with the school to resolve this issue...

Mental Health Services Provision269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current and planned investment in mental health counselling at second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35831/18]

Schools Property270. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has on file details of a lease agreement in respect of a primary school (details supplied); if so, if these details can be made...

Fee Paying Schools271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils attending fee-paying schools; and the figure for primary and post-primary schools. [35851/18]

School Transport Eligibility273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to amend the rule by which medical card holders can only access free travel to school if they attend the closest school (details...

State Examinations274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which students that undertake extra subjects for their junior certificate outside of their registered school will be assessed (details...

Third Level Education275. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 6811 of 13 February 2018, if he will request a response from DCU in relation to its financial relationship...

State Examinations Exemptions276. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the review on the granting of exemptions from the study of Irish will be published. [35970/18]

Third Level Courses Availability277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the work being undertaken to reintroduce training and educational courses at third level specifically in the housing and social housing sector in...

Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme281. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 12 June 2018, the way in which the figure of €2.3 million was arrived at; and the details of...

School Transport Review282. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if changes will be made to the school transport scheme to allow for alterations or extensions to bus routes for concessionary ticket holders; if...

School Patronage283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the development of a new secondary school under the patronage of an organisation (details supplied) for Castleknock and...

Schools Building Projects284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36061/18]

Schools Building Projects Status285. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for additional permanent accommodation by a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a...

Gaelscoil Issues287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which opportunities will be created for the expansion of Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht in the context of the...

Gaeltacht Policy288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when inspectors will be assigned to support the implementation of the policy on Gaeltacht education in Gaeltacht schools; and the number of...

Apprenticeship Data289. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of registered apprentices by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36085/18]

School Transport291. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the agreement entered into between his Department and the management of a former school (details supplied) at the time of the...

Emergency Works Scheme Applications292. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for emergency funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36121/18]

Teacher Redeployment293. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the options available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36170/18]

Schools Building Projects Status294. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a development at a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [36179/18]

Education and Training Boards297. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if education and training boards or other employers are entitled to demand that new employees attend two weeks of induction before school term...

Teaching Council of Ireland298. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; his views on the Teaching Council's response to same; the actions that can be taken...

State Examinations299. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the State Examinations Commission has moved away from the bell curve structure of results in the three science subjects at leaving certificate...

School Transport Provision300. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a full review of the school bus transport scheme will be carried out, in particular in regard to concessionary bus tickets in order that more...

Public Sector Staff Remuneration301. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to a situation in which a retired teacher receiving a pension can only be paid on the first point of the...

Child Protection302. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy that informs the practices of a school, similar to bullying policy, when a student is sexually assaulted by another student. [36249/18]

Site Acquisitions303. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in identifying a site for the proposed new post-primary school under the patronage of an organisation (details supplied) that...

Departmental Circulars304. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a 2016 circular (details supplied) has been updated; if this document has been withdrawn; if so, the reason therefor; if a subsequent circular...

School Transport305. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an extra school bus will be made available to accommodate children (details supplied) attending a school; and if he will make a statement on...

Student Grant Scheme306. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if changes (details supplied) to the SUSI grant will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36335/18]

Student Accommodation307. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an increase in the provision of student accomadation (details supplied) will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Oideachas Gaeilge309. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills cén uair a chuirfear an t-athbhreithniú, a fógraíodh tamall de bhlianta ó shin, ar an scéim díolúine...

Disability Support Services310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will be retrospectively considered for the DARE programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36350/18]

Skills Shortages311. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action he has taken to identify and address skill shortages in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36360/18]

Schools Refurbishment312. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding options open to schools in circumstances in which refurbishment or upgrade works are required that are outside the minor works grant...

Departmental Communications313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the positions in his Department and the organisations under its aegis that have arrangements in place for lo-call numbers or 1800, 1850 and 1890...

Schools Establishment314. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new places provided for primary education in the Donaghmede area over the past three years; the number of additional spaces...

Departmental Properties315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the annual rental cost of buildings rented by his Department or organisations under its aegis at a location (details supplied); and if he will...

Teachers' Professional Development316. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his relationship with a service (details supplied); if the service reports to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

National Educational Psychological Service Data320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils who underwent direct assessment of the referrals for individual casework undertaken by NEPS psychologists in each of the...

School Costs322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have provided evidence of adopting the principles of cost-effective practice relating to section 3 of Circular...

Educational Supports323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide extra back-to-school support and grants for children in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

School Transport324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that that nine school children attending a school (details supplied) in County Donegal have no...

School Accommodation Provision325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school extension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36503/18]

Teacher Supply331. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the Teacher Supply Steering Group last met; the recommendations and actions proposed by the group that should be immediately implemented to...

State Properties332. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in releasing his Department's interest in a building (details supplied) which is to be acquired and used as a community...

Speech and Language Therapy Provision333. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made on the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government to introduce a new school speech and language therapy...

Schools Establishment334. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the development of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36543/18]

School Staff335. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the County Wexford schools with a teaching principal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36545/18]

Maternity Protection Entitlements336. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the delay in implementing breastfeeding breaks for teachers as agreed upon by the Teachers Conciliation...

School Funding338. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full year cost of funding schools in order to allow them to abolish the voluntary contribution; and if he will make a statement on the...

Apprenticeship Programmes339. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full year cost of abolishing apprenticeship fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36589/18]

Back to Education Allowance340. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the full year cost of reversing all cuts to back to education funding since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36590/18]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision341. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding is available to support two ASD units in two primary schools in Mountmellick, County Laois in which there are a number of children in...

Home School Community Liaison Scheme342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if home school liaison officers will be reintroduced in schools, in particular in schools for children with special needs; and if he will make a...

School Transport Appeals343. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of pupils at a school (detail supplied) will be reviewed; the reason they have not received a place on the bus; and if he will make a...

Schools Site Acquisitions344. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the acquisition of a site for a new school (details supplied) at Domacomper campus, Lucan Road; if planning applications will be...

Schools Building Projects Status345. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the tendering process has been completed and a contractor appointed to complete school buildings (details supplied); if the proposed...

National Training Fund346. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the expenditure of the National Training Fund levy in grants to industry; and the amount that goes towards the funding of access to Safe Pass...

Schools Building Projects Status347. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the new prefab classroom will be put in place for a school (details supplied). [36650/18]

Schools Relocation351. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the planned permanent location of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36670/18]

Schools Building Projects Status352. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the building project at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36671/18]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to give consideration to extend the July education programme into August in order to maximise the support to young persons with...

Third Level Fees354. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person whose parents are Irish citizens and who has been living and attending school here since the person was six years of age but whose...

School Transport Eligibility355. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing uncertainty in a location (details supplied) regarding the school bus ticket lottery; if his...

School Admissions356. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) who did not receive a place in their local school will be examined; and if he will make a statement on...

Schools Building Projects Status357. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made in providing an extension to a school (details supplied) which is now to be delivered in one phase; the likely timeframe...

Teaching Council of Ireland358. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if teachers' work experience can be considered from the date of their application in view of the delays being experienced by those awaiting...

Schools Refurbishment360. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an application by the board of management of a school (details supplied) will be facilitated in view of the dilapidated condition of the...

Schools Site Acquisitions361. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the negotiations to secure a site for a school campus (details supplied). [36740/18]

Schools Refurbishment362. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for the construction of additional permanent accommodation to replace the dilapidated...

School Accommodation Provision365. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for the replacement of old prefabricated accommodation. [36744/18]

Schools Building Projects Status366. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for the drafting of a brief formulation report that will allow a design team to...

Schools Refurbishment367. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for the refurbishment of the existing school building to be included on the Capital...

School Accommodation Provision368. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of applications by a school (details supplied) for two new base classrooms and the refurbishment of its existing metalwork room and...

Schools Building Projects371. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a mechanism will be put in place in order to fast-track the completion of the construction works at schools (details supplied) in County Cork....

School Transport Eligibility373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reasoning for the catchment area for the village of Tinahely, County Wicklow in relation to the allocation of schools (details supplied); and...

Schools Building Projects Status374. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the next stage will be introduced for each secondary school in County Wicklow on the school building programme; and if he will make a...

School Management375. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being introduced to assist up to 44 teaching school principals in County Wicklow further to their request to seek one day...

Pupil-Teacher Ratio376. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the schools which have benefitted from the reduction in the pupil -teacher ratio from September 2018. [36801/18]

Health and Safety378. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to make it compulsory that first aid be a basic requirement in all national schools and secondary schools; and if he will make a...

Schools Building Projects Status379. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when funds will be released to allow the progression of school building works which have already been approved at a school (details supplied)....

Student Grant Scheme Representations380. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36845/18]

School Transport Applications Data381. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for special needs transport to schools outstanding and not processed as of 31 August 2018. [36846/18]

School Placement382. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children in Ashbourne, County Meath are unable to secure school places; his plans to provide...

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund383. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the outstanding moneys owed by religious bodies in respect of the 2002 indemnity agreement; the steps he is taking to ensure payment of these...

Schools Site Acquisitions385. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the need for a secondary school in Duleek, County Meath. [36865/18]

Schools Building Projects Status387. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an extension to a school (details supplied) and the tender and construction project for same. [36867/18]

Education Policy388. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will continue to participate in the OECD's learning environments evaluation programme. [36899/18]

Special Educational Needs Data389. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children with special needs passed the age of six on 1 June 2018 who are awaiting a primary school place. [36900/18]

Schools Building Projects Status390. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed new development for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36902/18]

Apprenticeship Programmes391. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the review SOLAS was to commission on pathways to participation in apprenticeship, including the participation of persons...

Insurance Coverage392. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement his Department has had with the insurance industry regarding the provision of public liability insurance for primary and secondary...

School Equipment393. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy requirement for a number of issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36964/18]

Education Funding394. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to extend enhanced capitation services to children in second level as is the case at primary level; and if he will make a statement on...

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund395. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the dealings he has had with religious orders that made agreements with the State in respect of the provision of funds or property set aside for...